Barcelona to sign Rakitic for €20m

Barcelona have tied up a
€20 million deal to sign
Croatia midfielder Ivan
Rakitic from Sevilla .
The 26-year-old was one of
the standout performers in La Liga last season as
Sevilla finished in fifth place and he helped the
Andalusians claim the Europa League crown with
victory over Benfica in May.
The former Schalke star’s performances caught they
eye of many of Europe’s elite clubs and his father
admitted earlier this week that he had offers from
Barca, Real Madrid and Atletico , adding: “We’ll
decide after the World Cup.”
However, Barca have now stolen a march on their
two domestic rivals by agreeing a deal ahead of the
summer showpiece in Brazil, which starts next week.
New coach Luis Enrique met with sporting director
Andoni Zubizarreta for more than two hours on
Thursday to discuss transfer plans for the summer
and with former Arsenal pair Cesc Fabregas and Alex
Song both looking likely to return to the Premier
League, Barca have acted fast to push through a deal
for Rakitic.
Sevilla coach Unai Emery was resigned to losing the
Swiss-born midfielder on Thursday. “I could
understand if Rakitic leaves,” he told Canal Plus. “In
an ideal world, he would stay but I know he has
several offers. If he leaves, we’ll try and sign another
Rakitic.”
Rakitic, who is preparing for Croatia’s World Cup
debut against Brazil, will sign a five-year deal with
the Catalan club and his release clause is to be set
at €70m.
He is the second Croatian to sign for Barca this
summer after the Blaugrana also brought in 17-year-
old attacking midfielder Alen Halilovic from Dinamo
Zagreb.